The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject matter contained in the test objectives for each field. The MTEL are aligned with the Massachusetts educator licensure regulations and, as applicable, with the standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.

The test objectives specify the content to be covered on the test and are organized by major content subareas. The chart below shows the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each of the subareas.

The test assesses a candidate's proficiency and depth of understanding of the subject at the level required for a baccalaureate major according to Massachusetts standards. Candidates are typically nearing completion of or have completed their undergraduate work when they take the test.

Sub area I 12%, Sub area II 23%, Sub area III 19%, Sub area IV 10%, Sub area V 16%, and Sub area VI 20%.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.

Subareas

Range of Objectives

Approximate Test Weighting

Multiple-Choice

I

Number Sense and Operations

01–03

12%

II

Patterns, Relations, and Algebra

04–10

23%

III

Geometry and Measurement

11–15

19%

IV

Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability

16–18

10%

V

Trigonometry, Calculus, and Discrete Mathematics

19–23

16%

80%

Open-Response*

VI

Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

24

20%

*The open-response items may relate to topics covered in any of the subareas.

Subarea I–Number Sense and Operations

For example: place value;
order relationships;
relationships between operations (e.g., division as the inverse of multiplication);
multiple representations of numbers and of number operations (e.g., area models for multiplication);
absolute value;
signed numbers;
computational algorithms;
problems involving integers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and proportions;
the use of estimation to judge the reasonableness of solutions to problems;
the origins and development of standard computational algorithms;
and properties of early numeration systems (e.g., Mayan, Mesopotamian, Egyptian).

Objective 0002: Understand the properties of real and complex numbers and the real and complex number systems.

For example: rational and irrational numbers;
multiple representations of complex numbers (e.g., vector, trigonometric, exponential);
properties (e.g., closure, distributive, associative) of the real and complex number systems and their subsets;
operations on complex numbers;
the laws of exponents;
calculating roots and powers of real and complex numbers;
scientific notation;
using number properties to prove theorems;
and problems involving real and complex numbers and their operations.

Objective 0003: Understand the principles of number theory.

For example: number factors and divisibility;
prime and composite numbers;
prime factorization;
Euclid's algorithm;
congruence classes and modular arithmetic;
Mersenne primes and perfect numbers;
statement of Fermat's Last Theorem;
and the fundamental theorem of arithmetic.

Subarea II–Patterns, Relations, and Algebra

Objective 0004: Understand and use patterns to model and solve problems.

For example: conjectures about patterns presented in numeric, geometric, or tabular form;
representation of patterns using symbolic notation;
identification of patterns of change created by functions (e.g., linear, quadratic, exponential);
iterative and recursive functional relationships (e.g., Fibonacci numbers);
Pascal's triangle and the binomial theorem;
and using finite and infinite sequences and series (e.g., arithmetic, geometric) to model and solve problems.

Objective 0006: Understand the properties and applications of linear relations and functions.

For example: the relationship between linear models and rate of change;
direct variation;
graphs of linear equations;
slopes and intercepts of lines;
finding an equation for a line;
algebraic, numeric, and graphical methods of solving systems of linear equations and inequalities;
expressions involving absolute value;
and using a variety of methods to model and solve problems involving linear functions and systems.

Objective 0007: Understand the properties and applications of linear and abstract algebra.

For example: properties of matrices and determinants;
representing and solving linear systems using matrices;
geometric and algebraic properties of vectors;
properties of vector spaces (e.g., basis, dimension);
the matrix representing a linear transformation;
and the definitions and properties of groups, rings, and fields.

Objective 0008: Understand the properties and applications of quadratic relations and functions.

For example: manipulation and simplification of quadratic expressions;
methods of solving quadratic equations and inequalities (e.g., factoring, completing the square, quadratic formula, graphing);
real and complex roots of quadratic equations;
graphs of quadratic functions;
relationship between the graphic and symbolic representations of quadratic functions;
quadratic maximum and minimum problems;
and modeling and solving problems using quadratic relations, functions, and systems.

For example: direct and indirect methods of proof;
properties of parallel and perpendicular lines as they relate to polygons and circles;
congruent triangles;
properties of special triangles;
characteristics of parallelograms and other quadrilaterals;
similar triangles and other polygons;
geometric constructions;
and theorems associated with the properties of circles.

Objective 0018: Understand the fundamental principles of probability.

For example: probabilities for simple and compound events (e.g., dependent, independent, and mutually exclusive events, conditional probability);
the use of simulations to explore probability;
probability as a ratio of two areas;
and using random variables and probability distributions (e.g., uniform, normal, binomial) to solve problems.

Subarea V–Trigonometry, Calculus, and Discrete Mathematics

Objective 0019: Understand the properties of trigonometric functions and identities.

For example: degree and radian measure;
right triangle trigonometry;
the laws of sines and cosines;
the relationship between the unit circle and trigonometric functions;
graphs and properties (e.g., amplitude, period, phase shift) of trigonometric functions and their inverses;
trigonometric identities;
solving trigonometric equations;
and using trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena.

Objective 0020: Understand the concepts of limit, continuity, and rate of change.

For example: limits of algebraic functions and of infinite sequences and series (including the geometric series);
continuous and discontinuous functions;
the relationship between the secant line and the average rate of change of a function;
and solving problems involving average rates of change.

Objective 0021: Understand differential calculus.

For example: the slope of the line tangent to a curve;
definition and properties of the derivative;
differentiability;
techniques of differentiation (e.g., product rule, chain rule);
the derivative of algebraic and transcendental functions;
analyzing the graph of a function;
using differentiation to solve problems (e.g., velocity, acceleration, optimization, related rates);
verifying that a given function is a solution of a differential equation;
and the development of differential calculus.

Objective 0022: Understand integral calculus.

For example: algebraic and geometric approximations of the area under a curve;
the integral as the limit of a Riemann sum;
the fundamental theorem of calculus;
techniques of integration;
applications of integration (e.g., area, work, volume, arc length, displacement, velocity);
and solving differential equations by separation of variables.

Subarea VI–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0024: Prepare an organized, developed analysis emphasizing problem solving, communicating, reasoning, making connections, and/or using representations on topics related to one or more of the following: number sense and operations; patterns, relations, and algebra; geometry and measurement; data analysis, statistics, and probability; trigonometry, calculus, and discrete mathematics.

For example: presenting a detailed solution to a problem involving one or more of the following: place value, number base, and the structure and operations of number systems;
properties, attributes, representations, and applications of families of functions;
modeling real-world problems with functions;
applications of plane and three-dimensional geometry;
Euclidean geometry and proof;
connections between algebra and geometry;
and design, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of statistical surveys.